The AWI Quality Certification Corporation (AWI QCC) announces a new resource designed as a practical guide to the Architectural Woodwork Standards and AWI Standards. This e-book addresses and walks users through all the sections of the Architectural Woodwork Standards, Edition 2 (2014) (AWS) and how the content relates to the new AWI Standards. It’s full of practical examples and useful information, and breaks the standards down in an easy-to-digest way that provides a comprehensive high-level overview.

This new 45+ page e-book is easy to navigate and has a user-friendly table of contents for quick access to any specific information you’re seeking. Users can also search for key words or terms they want to know more about, and download or print the document so it’s easy to reference at any time.

You can download the new e-book from www.awiqcp.org here.

The Architectural Woodwork institute has released the ANSI / AWI 0641-2019—Architectural Wood Casework Standard, which became effective for PROJECTS BID after June 1, 2020 that call for the AWS current edition.

What QCP licensed firms and design professionals need to know about the new standard is the requirement for all casework to meet a performance Duty Level. This is a new and important difference because it separates the previous structural and aesthetic quality requirements [Custom & Premium] so that these requirements (Grade) only apply to the aesthetic and adds the performance requirements (Duty Level) for the structural component. The Duty Levels are 1-4 and the default Duty Level is 3.

Why is this important?  On a QCP project there will need to be verification that the casework meets this requirement. This can be done in a couple ways: verification with soon-to-be-released AWI tested and approved casework Duty Level 3 methodologies OR a woodworker’s tested proprietary casework method.  In both instances QCP licensed firms will need to schedule in-plant verification visits which can be done using video technology. In both cases, QCP will confirm that methodologies used conform to the tested casework shop drawings showing joinery details, testing results and material cores tested.

The AWI QCC Board of Directors approved a tested casework policy in April of 2019.

The Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) announces the release of the ANSI / AWI 0641-2019—Architectural Wood Casework Standard, opening the door for innovation and cost saving opportunities.  ANSI / AWI 0641 took effect June 1, 2020, and succeeds, replaces, and supplants Section 10 of the Architectural Woodwork Standards, Edition 2 (2014) as the most current version of the AWI Standards for architectural wood casework.

“With ANSI / AWI 0641, an architect can mix and match aesthetic and performance requirements so that the end product best suits the vision of the project owner,” said AWI President Tyler Cerny, president of Strata Design.

The ANSI / AWI 0641-2019—Architectural Wood Casework Standard encompasses a variety of architectural wood casework, including wood veneer-faced architectural cabinets, plastic-laminate-clad architectural cabinets, and cabinet and drawer hardware as specified under CSI MasterFormat Division 6. This standard establishes structural and aesthetic tolerances for each of the aforementioned applications, ensuring that the final product is of the utmost quality with regards to the specified visual appeal and structural integrity.

“Of all AWI Standards, the new Architectural Wood Casework Standard is the largest section of forthcoming ANSI / AWI Standards that has greatest impact of change for woodworkers,” said er Cerny.

In previous AWI Standards, a casework unit’s aesthetic and structural requirements were lumped together under three Grades: Economy, Custom and Premium. In ANSI / AWI 0641, characteristics are divided into two parts for the first time:

1. Aesthetics—Economy, Custom and Premium Grades; and
2. Structural Performance—Duty Levels: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Duty Levels evolved from the desire for a performance-based standard, according to AWI Technical Committee Chair Greg Lutz, president of Lutz Woodworks.  “This component of the Standard required extensive testing and significantly lengthened the Standard’s development process.  Hundreds of hours of testing took place at the AWI National Testing Center in Americus, GA, where data was collected to provide AWI with reference information needed for a Standard of this level.  Also, during the canvass process, feedback from interested parties identified substantial changes that were necessary and incorporated. Rigorous testing of this nature had not been available previously.”

The Duty Level requirements were determined by measuring the amount of force and pressure the product can tolerate or withstand during the extensive AWI testing process at the AWI National Testing Center.
The ANSI / AWI 0641-2019—Architectural Wood Casework Standard, as well as, AWI 100—Submittals, AWI 200—Care & Storage, AWI 300—Materials, and ANSI / AWI 0620-2018—Finish Carpentry Installation Standard are presented in an interactive format online to view, bookmark, save and share free of charge through the Standards Area of www.awinet.org.  Printed copies of all AWI Standards are available for purchase in the AWI website store. 

The Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) has produced and collaborated on the development of standards in accordance with its mission since its founding in 1953 to the present day. AWI is an ANSI-accredited Standards Developer Organization. www.awinet.org

Founded in 1918, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private non-profit organization that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system and is committed to strengthening its impact, both domestically and internationally.  The Institute represents the diverse interests of more than 270,000 companies and organizations, and 30 million professionals worldwide.  www.ansi.org

New in 2020, the CONSTRUCT Show sponsored by the Construction Specifications Institute took its content online. CONSTRUCT Virtual offered Live and On-Demand content with your favorite AEC thought-leaders in the industry Oct. 7-9, 2020 with the content being available on-demand through Dec. 31, 2020.

QCP also sponsored an education session, “BIM Panel: What Does the Future Hold?” on Oct. 9 featuring Kyhla Pollard, Mark Ogg, Michael Czap and Will Ikard.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is changing the way projects are constructed and it is here to stay.  During this paneled discussion four leaders from within the architectural and construction communities talk through where our industry is headed with BIM technology, the impacts it will have in our daily lives, how we collaborate with other disciplines and how the changes will impact the finished product and owners.

Content of this BIM Panel, along with other education sessions, are available on-demand through Dec. 31, 2020.  Click here to access the session.

Architectural woodwork is showcased on the following social media platforms, incorporating award-winning woodwork projects illustrated in editions of AWI’s quarterly journal Design Solutions. Follow us:

• Instagram: AWI_QCP  

• Twitter: awiqcp

• LinkedIn: AWI Quality Certification Program

• Facebook: Architectural Woodwork Institute-QCP

About the Quality Certification Program
QCP certification provides the foundation to take on big projects and deliver professional results by giving your projects both a "mark of excellence” and a guarantee of your adherence to industry standards and best practices.

This powerful risk-management tool delivers strong recommendations for both the quality and integrity of your work. Plus, certification includes a free-of-charge inspection of your architectural woodwork projects and provides recourse in the event that work fails to meet identified specifications.

Having a team of QCP professionals on hand to collaborate on quality, compliance, and consistency ensures your work will stand out among the best in your industry.

Put the QCP to work for you in just THREE simple steps: Specify, Register and Record and learn more here!

About Quality Review
Quality Review was launched in the fall of 2017, for architects, design professionals, and general contractors.

Given that woodwork is typically one of the most visible and beautiful components of premium architectural projects, Quality Review provides insight and relevant information regarding the woodworking industry, and helps deliver the message that QCP certification ensures quality work at only a small percentage of the total woodwork subcontract.